Tonight's events started when I had that minor breakdown after sealing a certain pseudorandom like the anomaly he was. I had mentioned games, and apparently word traveled. I also mentioned voicemail spamming, and it did, but to a much lesser degree than I expected. Only 5 messages from Celestia, spread out over the rest of the day. Aside from asking me to come back to talk, all she had to say (aside from expressions of gratitude) were reasonable questions, so I felt the need to take notes on what my answers would be when I got around to answering. But I didn't reply. Not today.
Her sister, on the other hand (or hoof, if it behooves you), managed to put a message in my inbox that I had to play again to make sure I was hearing it right, then pick up the phone and call her back. She had heard about the game mention, and took it literally, not as an offhand comment (it wasn't). So she decided to invite me to a game of Ogres and Oubliettes that would go on that night. After the call to verify a few things (time, game type, horn), I pulled up some D&D forums to put myself in the mindset. I didn't want to miss this opportunity.
Come 9:10 PM, I was at L7. 9:15 and a dark cloud materialized, with a white, glowing "pronounced crescent" at its core.
L_Moon
9:20, and I had been milling about a few remaining tabs and studying my already-made character sheet while Third Form pulsated in Luna's bedroom. Luna had been checking and setting a few DM things, while a few other ponies (all castle guards who happen to like the game) were socializing over the table. I closed the tabs and joined the conversation, and up until 9:30, we compared D&D and O&O. (The differences were mostly cultural, and the few gameplay changes didn't really change anything.)
At that point, Luna asked me if I was comfortable and stable in my chair. When I responded positive, her horn lit up, and everypony but her quickly became tired, before falling into some form of sleep.
Note the use of "pony" in that sentence. Guess what I'm not.
"What just...*yawn*...happened?" There was a bit of stunned silence by Luna, who probably thought I had nodded off as well. "Wait...I'm going to hazard a wild guess here. I'm supposed to play the game as part of a preconstructed, shared manipulated dream?"
"That's right. I just cast a spell that should have put you to sleep, but it would appear that it failed."
"Then I think I know what the problem is here-I don't fall asleep at my computer. I don't stay online for long enough to sleep deprive, and I don't suffer from any sleep disorders. In fact, the only time I ever fell asleep at my desk was-"
"Wait-you have fallen asleep at your computer?" I thought about it for a few seconds, before coming to a realization.
"Yeah, this one time I did trance mission."
"Well, do it again!"
"That's the idea," as I booted it up. "But sensory overload does take a bit of focus, and plenty of time..."
"And what if I help?"
I thought about it for a moment. "Well, I did feel somewhat tired when you used your magic, so at least it's something...alright. Give me one good minute of focus, then hit it." I turned my headphones up to max volume and fullscreened the window. "Beginning now."
It worked as planned. While I had my eyes, ears, and mind glued to the synesthesia, Luna prepared her sleep spell. About 60 seconds in, I felt myself get tired, but paid it no mind-I was in the zone, almost literally. The next transition, however, proved to be too much for my altered mindset. The moment the screen blurred and the music changed, my conscious brain overloaded, then crashed...then shut down.
I was running through the day's events in my mind, and was beginning to zone out when one of the other party members nudged me.
"Rez?"
I jumped in my four-legged body as I snapped back to the constructed reality. "Yeah?"
"If you're done being lost in thought, we can begin tonight's raid."
"I'm ready anytime, but..." I examine myself once more. "Could someone tell me why I have to be dreaming I'm a pony?"
"Ease of access. I don't really know how human weapons and armor are shaped. It was far easier to change you, within the confines of the dream, into something I know than to try to give you unique everything, simply because you're different."
I can think of at least a few Dungeon Masters who would be up for that challenge, but I give Luna the benefit of the doubt. Especially considering that this is a unique experience anyways. "...fair enough. Mind giving us the mission brief, GM?"
"Gladly. There is a temple, with an artifact said to have power over lightning..." I have no idea how this will play out, but I can already tell it's going to be good. All things considered, day well spent.